Contents

Access

This is also an MCSA owned kloof and permits should be obtained - see the main page for details. It is part of the Tonquani Complex. Contact the MCSA for more access details.

Routes/ Gradings

This is one of the most popular kloofs with almost 150 routes. They are mostly multi-pitch natural routes. These routes see grades from 5 to 25. Many classics can be found here such as Hawk's Eye, Stone Needle and so forth.

Aspect

There is plenty of water and some impressive pools all surrounded by forests. Climbing is good all year round.

Notes

This is the grandest and most scenically attractive kloof in the Magaliesberg. The access traverse above the pools between Upper and Lower Tonquani (C) is over polished rock and is hazardous to inexperienced parties. The upper meet point is below Kitchen Crack. The longest climbs are on the Coffin Buttress (80m). The climbs elsewhere averaging 40-50m. The rock is generally excellent and water is always available.

Route guide

Map

New routes

Lethal Injection 21 **** [N]
Essentially an alternative to the crux pitch of Last Rites.
Climb Last Rites to take a semi-hanging stance at the Coffin rail. This is the rail about 4m above the final roof on the 2nd pitch of Last Rites.
1. 21, 20m Step left onto the slab and climb the groove to where it dies. Step left to a pencil crack and climb this to jugs at the left end of the Last Rites crux traverse. Up to belay at the small tree.
Notes:
1. Small cams and wires are useful.
2. The route was cleaned and top-roped before being led.
FA: Hector Pringle, Bernard Spies and Linda Watson May 2008.

Accipiter’s Edge (aka The Bird of Prey) 23R **** [N]
Start directly below the abseil tree to the right of the last pitch of Hawks Eye. Scramble up as per Hawks Eye to about halfway up the leftward sloping ramp. This is just about where the climbing on Hawks Eye starts. There is a reasonable flat ledge here.
1. 23, 30m Climb up in the corner then traverse 2m right to a crack in the face. The crack turns white higher up and curves left under the big roof. Climb the crack and crank leftwards through the roof to a foot ledge on the left. Up the overhanging wall to a rail and wedged prong. Surmount this then slightly left up the technical face to a short dihedral and rail. Place a good small cam and run it out on jugs to the top.
Notes:
1. Small cams and wires (especially a good selection of micros) are useful.
2. Runout but gear is solid.
3. The route was cleaned and top-roped before being led.
FA: Hector Pringle and Bernard Spies May 2008.

Butcher Bird 24R [N]
Ascends the wall almost directly beneath the Hawks Eye abseil tree. It is right of Talons and just left of Accipiter. Scramble up to belay from the big platform directly below the abseil tree.
1. 24R, 30m Climb the slab on the left as for Hawks Eye until able to step right to a left facing corner crack beneath the biggest, upper roof. Swing right to the prow above the smaller, lower roof and climb up to the big roof. Suck it up to pull leftwards through the widest part. Stay calm in the recess above because you still have to pull straight up through two overlaps to get to the jugs. Don't screw up the last 10m to the tree.
Protection on this route is poor.
FA: Hector Pringle 2012/02/05.